Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-27
TO BUILD AND BOOM.
A New Organization to Promote
Rock Islands Interests.
An Enthusiastic Meeting at Alder
man Ferguson's Office Last Evening
committees 10 Advance the City's
Interests Further Indications of
Rock Islands Growth.

There were present Mayor eject " h
| Banding, ex Alderman j. j. Reimers,
H. J. Lowrey of the Harper house, W,
Ii. Munger of the Rock Island house, and
the following other manufacturers aHd
business men,. Fred Denkmann, H. G.
| Mcconnell, L. c. Blanding, W Ii. Mar
shall, viii G. Whitehead, E. E Parment.
er, c. W. HAYES. Ii. B. cudlow, W. B.
Ferguson and J W Potter For some
time the necessity of an organization
whose sole object shall be to boom Rock
Island has been discussed, and 1t was for
| talking this matter over that the gentle
men named assembled by general agree
ment last evening. In that gathering
was represented. not only the city, but
the leading manufacturing industries and
business houses, the chief hotels the
turers' insurance company OF the north
west, commercial interests, the govern
ment building, the legal profession and
the local press
The meeting was called to order by
| Mr.. j. J. Reimers, who stated the object
of the contemplated organization to be-
not in the least to entagoniZe the present
Business Mems association, but to have
a committee, whose special duties shall be
to look after the city's interest at the
present time, when there are indications
of substantial growth on every side, and
meet all questions that may arise pertain
| ing to the boom. Mayor Blanding was
called to the chair, and H. c.. Mcconnell
elected secretary. On motion COM
mittee of three composed of Messrs J. J .
Reimers, Will G. Whitehead and j. W
Potter was appointed to perfect plans
for a permanent organization to report at
a subsequent meeting.
Then a general discussion AS 10 the
bright outlook WIS heartily entered into,
gested that the city being on the eve of a
boom. the people be requested to paint
their houses and arouse a spirit of public
pride within themselves, ana that steps
be taken without delay to provide house S
for all new corners, and to neglect no
opportunity looking to the city's Interest.
On motion Of Mr Reimers a committee
of three, consisting of Mayor Blanding
ex Mayor E. P Reynolds, and Capt T
J. Robinson, was appointed to visit Chs
cage, and lay before President Norman
Williams, of the Chicago, Santa Fe &
California road, the advantages of Rock
Island as shipping point, and the in
ducements the city is willing to offer to
secure the entry of the road into Rock
Island. On motion of Mr.. Whitehead
the committee was further instructed 10
see General Traffic Manager Smith, in
charge of the construction of all lines,
and Chief Engineer Barr, and impress
upon those officials the Importance of
Rock island>as commercial centre.
Mr.. ReimcIs stated that at the next
meeting of the Rock Island Building
association, action would probably be
taken in reference to the needed supply
of houses in Rock Island That the
association would pay per cent on de
posts, and give Il paid up certificate for
the valuation OF lots and per cent.
interest, and build a number of houses
such as are at the present time so greatly
needed Mr.. Rtimers stated that there
are sixty men in the employ OF the upper
saw mill now residing in Davenport,
because there were no houses for them
on the Rock Island side. One of The
Rock Island Lumber company's houses
had become vacant recently, and there
were a dozen applications for it i'm,
mediatelY. Mr.. Lowrey who is going to
Chicago soon, was asked to see Mr.
I. J. Rodman and request him to build
houses on the Rodman estate. The
meeting adjourned to meet Saturday
evening at 1880 o'clock.
1t was shown that all that Rock Island
needs at the present time is exertion,
united action and prompt work
President Ferguson of the Rock Island
Business Mems association, has in his
possession two letters from prominent
manufacturing industries at Marshal>
town, which in all probability will come
to Rock Island, because under the
provisions of the Interstate commerce
law there seems to be no prospect OF
obtaining such equalized rates on freight
to the manufacturing interests of Mar,
shallt0wn as would enable them TO com
pete with localities on the river such a.
Rock Island
Rock Islands greatest need today j,
the hearty cooperation and well directed
energy to secure the proper investments
of capital, and utilize her unsurpassed
resources; and unless these efforts are
made at once other live cities will secure
the Industries we so much need. Rocl
Island must BE- brought to the attention
of eastern capitalists rs Il promising fielC
Tor investment, not only III industrial
enterprises but in real estate; an,
our natural advantages, excelen
transportation facilities, inexhaustibl
supply of cheap fuel, should b
more thoroughly advertised to thu
, world If 1t is ever intended to make al
extra effort to secure these desirable bus